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Coronavirus in Spain (17 Dec) – figures continuing to increase

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Report below updated in Spain at 19h on Thurs 17 Dec

CORONAVIRUS in SPAIN – latest Health Ministry figures

The latest official figure* released by the Spanish Health Ministry on Thursday 17 December for the number of people who have tested positive for Coronavirus (Covid-19) since the start of the pandemic is now 1,785,421. This is an overall increase of 12,131 against the figure released on Wednesday. The ministry claims that 5,763 of these infections have occurred in the past 24 hours.

Figures released on Wednesday had shown an overall increase of 11,078 infections since Tuesday, with the ministry claiming that 6,196 had occurred in a 24-hour period.

Tuesday had seen an overall increase of 10,328 infections over Monday, yet 5,215 in a 24-hour period. The ministry has not released figures during the weekends since Friday 3 July.

The overall accumulated incidence rate for Spain is now 207.26 per 100,000 inhabitants for the past 14 days, the highest it has been since 7 December. Yesterday’s figure was 201.16 and last Thursday it had been 188.72. It is only under 200 in seven regions: Andalusia (137.67), Asturias (195.25), the Canary Islands (124.87), Castilla y León (180.83), Galicia (164.92), Murcia (138.63), Navarra (199.32) – as well as in the autonomous city of Ceuta (132.11).

The peak of recorded infections for a 24-hour period during this ‘second wave’ in Spain was on 30 October, when 9,723 cases were registered. During the ‘first wave’, it was on 31 March when 9,222 cases were registered.

There have now been 97,467 cases of Coronavirus detected in the past 14 days – out of the total 1,785,421. The figure for the past 7 days is 55,946.

There are currently 11,336 people requiring hospital treatment for Covid-19 in Spain, of which 1,955 are in intensive care. This represents a 20.44% occupation of intensive care beds by Covid-19 patients.

The official figure* for the total number of Coronavirus-related deaths on Thursday 17 December is now 48,777 – an increase of 181 since Wednesday. It is now a total of 789 deaths in the past 7 days.

The highest increase of deaths to date for a 24-hour period during this ‘second wave’ in Spain was on 24 November when 537 were registered. The peak of recorded deaths for a 24-hour period during the ‘first wave’ was on 2 April when 950 were registered.

Increase in infections per region

Of the 5,763 new infections claimed by the Health Ministry to have only been registered in the past 24 hours on Thursday 17 December, the numbers per region are as follows:

A full breakdown of the data per region, together with age group statistics can be found by clicking here.

Image taken in the temporary hospital set up at the Pavelló Claror Maritim in Barcelona, at the height of the Coronavirus crisis in April 2020. (Ajuntament Barcelona)

New ‘State of Alarm’ – restrictions across Spain

The Spanish Congress voted to extend the new State of Alarm until 9 May 2021. The State of Alarm was declared on Sunday 25 October to combat further cases of Coronavirus, initially for a period of 15 days. The key purpose is to enable the regional governments of Spain the legal requirements to impose and enforce nighttime curfews and other restrictions, where required. Full details here: New ‘State of Alarm’ in Spain.

In a separate report and being regularly updated, we have detailed all the curfew times and key restrictions in place for each region of Spain. Most regions have issued border closures and there are many municipality confinements. Many regions have also restricted the opening hours of bars and restaurants, or ordered their closure. Our full, on-going report is here: Details of curfews & restrictions for all regions of Spain during ‘State of Alarm’ – Also read our report on: Proposed restrictions for Christmas and New Year period in Spain.

Spain changes Covid-19 test requirements for travellers

Spain changed the Covid-19 test requirements for travellers arriving to the country from Thursday 10 December, via airports or ports. Since Monday 23 November, travellers arriving in Spain from high-risk countries had had to show proof of a negative PCR test done within 72 hours of arrival. Failure to do so could result in a fine of up to €6,000. However, a negative result from a TMA (Transcription-Mediated Amplification test) is now also valid, ‘and other tests based on equivalent molecular techniques’. Spain has also removed the obligation to present any negative test for children under the age of six. Full report here: Spain changes Covid-19 test requirements for travellers.

*Discrepancies in figures

Although the Health Ministry updated its official Coronavirus mortality figures on 19 June following discrepancies with the data released by some of the country’s regional health authorities – there are still differences in the ‘excess mortality’ figures published for Spain during at least the first half of this year.

Click here for all previous reports on: Coronavirus in Spain

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